Controversy Trails Attempt To Sell MKO Abiola's Property

The Governing Council of Zulikha Abiola Centre for Arabic and Islamic Studies, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital has cried out over an attempt to sell a property belonging to the late business mogul and politician, Chief MKO, Abiola.

The property, located on a parcel of land at Abiola way area of the state capital has been in use for Islamic School with a big mosque used by an Islamic organization for their Sunday worships and other activities.

But according to a press statement signed by the solicitor to the Governor council, Barrister Mutiu Agboke, a copy of which was made available to newsmen yesterday in Abeokuta, an influential family

close to Abiola's family in Abeokuta (name withheld) was attempting to sell the property.

Agboke who issued the statement 'on firm instruction' of the Governing Council said those attempting to sell the property were allegedly working with some unnamed member of Abiola's family.

The legal practitioner explained that the Islamic and Arabic School has been on the land since 1978 was dedicated, through will, to be an Islamic center after the demise of Abiola and entrusted to the Governing Council of the institution.

Thereafter, according to the statement, the first son of the late politician, Kola Abiola was made the proprietor of the college.

The statement reiterated that Abiola's family had, at no time, sold, lease or licensed the properties to any individual or group to take charge of the property for the purpose of sale or lease.

The statement further revealed that when information filtered about attempt by some people to sell the properties, an inscription which reads 'this property is not for sell' was written on the walls of the property only to wiped by some 'faceless people.'

"The attention of our client has been drawn to the activities of some unscrupulous elements parading themselves as the bonafide owner of the expanse of land upon which both Zulikha Abiola College of Arabic and Islamic Studies and Zulikha Abiola Center for Arabic and Islamic Studies are built.

"The individuals have been making frantic effort to sell the said parcel of land, with the block of classrooms, mosque and other structures thereon belonging to our client. We reiterate strongly on behalf of our client that the named properties belong to the late Chief MKO Abiola and had been duly entrusted with the Council of the College.

"We write on behalf of our client that Abiola family had at no time sold, leased nor licensed the  properties to any individual or group nor delegated any individual or group to sell, lease or license  the properties on its behalf," the statement read in part.

The solicitor however cautioned anyone attempting to buy the properties from any land agent to desist 'for doing so will amount to buying nothing'.